Principal Accountant – Cost Accounting

About the role

The Principal Accountant, Cost Accounting, will lead month‑end closing, cost analysis and budgeting activities for a manufacturing environment. This role partners with cross‑functional teams to ensure accurate cost reporting and compliance with accounting standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and oversee month‑end closing activities related to manufacturing costs, inventory, and cost accounting.
• Analyze actual manufacturing costs against forecasts, budgets, and standard costs, identifying key variances and drivers.
• Coordinate with relevant departments on standard cost development, review, and updates, and evaluate variances between actual and standard costs.
• Coordinate the annual budgeting process with relevant departments and prepare budget and financial analysis reports.
• Monitor monthly expenses to ensure actual and forecast costs are accurate and within approved budgets.
• Ensure inventory accounting and cost accounting practices comply with internal control policies and applicable accounting standards, including GAAP and IFRS.
• Plan and coordinate annual physical inventory counts with manufacturing sites and internal/external auditors, ensuring physical inventory is reconciled with accounting records.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors during operational and quarterly audits and provide timely responses and supporting documentation.
• Drive continuous improvement of cost accounting, inventory, and financial processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, and cost effectiveness.
• Support finance and business stakeholders on cost accounting matters, financial analysis, and ad‑hoc assignments as required.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline, or a recognized professional accounting qualification.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in accounting or finance, preferably within a semiconductor FAB, manufacturing, or other industrial environment.
• Strong knowledge of financial accounting, cost accounting, inventory accounting, budgeting, and variance analysis.
• Experience working with cross‑functional stakeholders and managing finance‑related projects.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Independent, proactive, and hands‑on approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Good understanding of internal controls and accounting standards, including GAAP and IFRS.
• Proficient in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience with Oracle ERP or other ERP systems (advantage).
• Experience in auditing or working with internal/external auditors (preferred).